Ryan Anderson's return near

Defending Maywood Park driving champion Ryan Anderson is less than a month away from returning to the Chicago circuit. The 27-year-old Anderson has been sidelined following surgery to insert a steel rod from his hip to his knee to repair a broken femur occurred in a nasty spill at Balmoral Park on December 23.

“I’m getting better and better and I’m at about 90 per cent right now,” said Ryan.

“I’m pushing myself hard, going to rehab three times a week.

My goal is to be driving the first week of April. I’m no longer using a cane but things like going up stairs are still difficult. However, the way its going it shouldn’t be longer than about another three weeks until I’m back driving.”

With Ryan out thus far this year his dad Joe is doing almost all the driving for the Anderson Stable and he’s winning races with regularity.

The 57-year-old Tennessee native went into last weekend in third place in the Balmoral driver standings with 34 dash victories, winning at a very lofty 43.6 per cent clip.

Joe also leads the Balmoral trainer’s race with his 34 winners.

Joe Anderson has over 3,000 career victories both as a driver and trainer.

He has driven 3,766 winners and has conditioned 3,106 first place finishers.